AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Amateur Sam Bennett has played two absolutely magical rounds of golf to open up the Masters.
The 23-year-old, currently enrolled at Texas A&M, made the Masters field after winning the U.S. Amateur in 2022, and is making the most of his moment.
Bennett opened his time at Augusta National on a tear, playing the first two holes of the tournament three under par with a birdie-eagle start.
—The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2023
Bennett fired this start while playing in the same group as World No. 1 and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, as well as World No. 5 Max Homa.
Bennett would find one more birdie at the sixth before making par on 12 straight holes to close out his round at 4-under — a score that was good for a tie with World No. 1 Scheffler and put him three strokes ahead of Homa.
Homa didn't seem to mind getting bested by the brilliant amateur.
"That was awesome," Homa said after the round. "I can't imagine coming here as an amateur, what that might feel like, and then come out here and perform. He played some great golf."
Bennett was pretty calm with his performance.
—The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023
On Friday, it was more of the same for Bennett, who once again birdied the first...
—The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023
...and later put up back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 and Nos. 13 and 14.
—The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023
Suddenly, Bennett was rising up the leaderboard. Beyond looking good to win low amateur, Bennett was one of the few players within striking distance of leader Brooks Koepka after completing 36 holes.
After his round, Bennett spoke with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt inside Butler Cabin. Again, he was extremely calm about his performance.
"I love being in big time situations. I love being nervous. I use that to my advantage," Bennett said. "I love hitting shots when they matter. To put up two rounds and get the chance to be around for the weekend. It's going to be fun."
Bennett went on to state what he had already made pretty obvious through two rounds at Augusta National, the lights certainly weren't too bright for him.
"I'm probably more nervous sitting in Butler Cabin talking to you than I am on the course," Bennett said. "When I get out there, especially with the patrons and playing Augusta National, I kind of black out. I'm not thinking of anything other than just golf."
—The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023
While fans following the action at home might be shocked to see Bennett's name so high on the leaderboard, it was part of his plan all along. He wasn't showing up at the Masters just to compete for low amateur. He wanted to win the whole dang thing.
"This is going to sound crazy, but before the week everyone was talking like 'Oh I hope you get low amateur,' and I'm like, there's seven guys to beat. That's it? There's a green jacket on the line.
"I felt like I was experienced. I was prepared. I did some good work in the practice round. I feel like I belong on this stage."
Bennett was already one of the feel-good stories of the tournament. A tattoo on his arm carries the last words his father ever spoke to him: "Don't wait to do something."
In June 2021, his father died due to early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Through two rounds at Augusta National, Bennett is living up to those words. He's not waiting.
